PhD position in biomedical engineering, focus on fabrication of microfluidic systems - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Admission to postgraduate education in the subject Engineering Sciences with specialization Biomedical Engineering focused on fabrication of microfluidic systems for cell studies

At the division of biomedical Engineering, at the Department of Material Sciences and Engineering, Ångströmlaboratoriet

The Division of Biomedical Engineering is part of the Department of Materials Science, focusing on basic mechanisms for the development and evaluation of new materials in interaction with biological systems. The Division is comprised of two research groups: BioMaterial Systems (BMS) group and Enabling Microtechnologies for Biomedical and Life science Applications (EMBLA) group.

Information about the Division of Biomedical Engineering is available here

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About the research group
The interdisciplinary research group EMBLA, which is led by Professor Maria Tenje, consists of researchers with a background in materials science, nanotechnology, chemistry and biology. The group conducts successful and internationally recognized research in organs-on-chip and droplet microfluidics. We use microfabrication techniques combined with microfluidics to develop new platforms for visualization and characterization of cells to learn more about human biology. We address both basic research questions and develop microsystems that may find clinical and industrial applications in the near future.

The group collaborates with research teams at several different Swedish and overseas universities. 

Research project
The FATE project aims to understand how plant cells obtain their "identity", i.e. what causes different types of cells to develop in the right place and at the right time during plant development. The EMBLA group is part of the project with responsibility for researching new microfluidic methods to be able to grow and study plant cells under fully controlled forms.

This doctoral position is part of a newly started research project, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, which involves five different research groups at Uppsala, Linköping and Umeå University, coordinated by SLU-Umeå.

Information about Umeå Plant Science Center SLU is available here

Duties
The main task for a doctoral student is to devote themselves to their doctoral education, which includes both participation in research projects and doctoral education courses. The tasks may also include participation in teaching and other departmental work, however this would account for max. 20% of working time.

Your tasks are within microfluidics and microsystems technology to develop miniaturized systems where plant cells can be grown and stimulated under controlled conditions in a so-called plant-on-chip. In particular, the focus is on using cleanroom-based fabrication techniques to create patterned surfaces that can control the adhesion and proliferation of plant cells and generate differently organized patterns of multiple cell types. Both chemical and physical patterns are created and evaluated. You are also expected to research a microsystem that, in combination with the patterned surfaces, can stimulate individual cells both mechanically and electrically at specific time points.

You use the final systems to study how differentiation of the cells is affected by the pattern they are part of and the external stimuli they are exposed to. The evaluation is mainly performed using microscopy.

Requirements
Master of Science degree with specialization in biomedical engineering, engineering sciences, nanotechnology, materials science, biotechnology or equivalent and where fabrication or use of microsystems or microfluidic systems were a part of your degree project.

We require good knowledge of English, both oral and in writing.

Additional qualifications
Documented knowledge of fabrication of and experimental work in microsystems and microfluidics is meritorious. Documented experience of cell culture, staining protocols and microscopy is an advantage, as is knowledge of various cell analysis techniques. Previous experience with culture of plant cells is specifically meritorious.

We are looking for you who are a creative person who is focused on solving problems with new techniques and methods. We believe you have a strong motivation to complete doctoral studies in this interdisciplinary subject, where you in a focused way takes on the tasks. You can easily learn new knowledge and concepts from other subject areas than your own specialization. We attach great importance to personal qualities and are looking for you who are an organized person with good analytical skills, interest in planning and leading own projects and who is capable of working both independently and in groups. Good communication skills oral and in writing, is highly valuable.

Admission requirements
To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must

• Hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree or
• Have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• Have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

Instructions for application
Your application must include:

1) A short letter describing yourself, your previous research experience and why you want to do a doctorate.
2) CV (max. 2 pages)
3) A copy of your master's degree and your course grades. Students getting their degree in Spring 2023 are also welcome to apply.
4) Names and contact details (address, e-mail address and telephone number) of at least two reference persons
5) List of relevant publications (including master's thesis)

The application should be written in English. We will continuously read applications and call for interviews.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date as soon as possible or as agreed upon.  Placement: Uppsala.

For further information about the position, please contact: Prof. Maria Tenje, (maria.tenje@angstrom.uu.se), Dr. Susan Peacock (susan.peacock@angstrom.uu.se) and Dr. Stéphan Verger (stephane.verger@umu.se

Please submit your application by 13 October 2023, UFV-PA 2023/3176

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